Analysis of rolling along an incline The analysis of rolling involves applying Newton’s second law for both translational and rotational motion and using equation of accelerated rolling. First of all, we select an appropriate pair of rectangular coordinates such that motion is along the positive direction of the x-coordinate. The various forces acting on the rolling disk are :

Rolling down an incline Forces acting on the rolling disk. Force of gravity, Mg, acting downward. Normal force, N, perpendicular to the incline in y-direction. Static friction, f s , acting upward. The force/ force components are acting in mutually perpendicular directions. As such, we can analyze motion in x-direction independently. Thus, confining force analysis in x-direction, we apply Newton's law of motion for linear motion as : ∑ F x = Mg sin θ - f s = M a C Similarly, we apply Newton's law for rotation : τ = I α We note here that force due to gravity and normal force pass through the center of mass. As such, they do not constitute torque on the rolling disk. It is only the friction that applies torque on the disk, which is given as : τ = f s R = I α At this stage, we can make use of third equation that connects linear and angular accelerations for rolling without sliding : a C = α R Combining equations 4 and 5, f s R = I α = I a C R ⇒ f s = I a C R 2 Substituting the expression of friction as above in the equation – 3, ⇒ Mg sin θ - I a C R 2 = M a C ⇒ a C ( M + I R 2 ) = Mg sin θ ⇒ a C = g sin θ ( 1 + I M R 2 ) ⇒ a C = g sin θ ( 1 + I m R 2 ) We can use this expression to find linear acceleration (hence angular acceleration also) for circular rolling bodies like ring, disk, cylinder and sphere etc. We only need to use appropriate expression of moment of inertia as the case may be. Problem : A block and a circular body are released from the same height of two identical inclines. The block slides down the incline, whereas circular body rolls down the incline. If acceleration of circular body is 2 3 rd that of the block, then identify the circular body. Solution : The block slides down the incline without rotating. Its acceleration is : a B = g sin θ The circular body rolls down the incline without sliding. Its acceleration is : a C = g sin θ ( 1 + I M R 2 ) According to question, a C = 2 a B 3 g sin θ ( 1 + I m R 2 ) = 2 g sin θ 3 ( 1 + I M R 2 ) = 3 2 I = M R 2 2 This is MI of either a disk or a solid cylinder. Thus, the circular body in question is either of the two. There is a caveat in the sign of the acceleration of rolling body down the incline. If we choose the orientation of x - coordinate is opposite direction to the one above, then the acceleration of the rolling body is given by the same expression, but with a negative sign preceding it :

Rolling down an incline Changing reference direction. a C = - g sin θ ( 1 + I M R 2 ) The sign of the quantities should not be a source of concern. We should merely stick with the sign convention and choice of coordinate system. Negative sign essentially, though a source of confusion, does not ever change the physical meaning of the quantities in kinematics. Problem : A ring, a disk, a solid cylinder and a solid sphere of same mass and radius roll down an incline simultaneously. Which of these will the reach the bottom first? Rank them in the order they reach the bottom. Solution : The object with maximum acceleration will reach the bottom first. Now, acceleration of the rolling object is given by the following equation, a C = g sin θ ( 1 + I M R 2 ) From the equation, it is clear that the object with smaller moment of inertia (I) will have greater translational acceleration. Now, MI of different objects of same mass and radius are as given here : I ring = M R 2 I disk/cyliner = M R 2 2 = 0.5 M R 2 I solid = 2 M R 2 5 = 0.4 M R 2 Thus, solid sphere with minimum moment of inertia will reach the bottom first, followed by disk and cylinder. The ring will be the last to reach the bottom.